Christmas in Turkey: the sequel December 26, 2008

This is my second Christmas in Turkey. Starting in November I start to get a little sad that I am here during the holiday season. I love all my friends and “Turkish” family here, but there is just something that always feels a little off. I used to take it for granted that Christmas was just everywhere in the US. You could not turn on a radio without Jingle Bell Rock or Silent Night playing, and every store was decorated to the hilt. I have always loved this, but I remember many a “Scrooge” saying how they hated all this music and this-n-that about the season. They should really just move to a Muslim country and give it a try. I am sure that 90% of the bah-hum-bugs out there would be singing a different tune come Christmas day. Malls put up generic decos, but that is it! When most Turks ask what you are doing for Christmas, they actually mean New Years (same thing to them). When you wish them a Merry Christmas you get a somewhat puzzled look like, gee…aren’t you a little early? I guess what I am trying to say is that you don’t miss it until it is gone. Cherish the season because you could be somewhere that does not have it.

I must admit that last year was much harder though. I had my crazy cat, so that ruled out a Christmas tree. This year I do not have my crazy cat anymore, so I decided to get a tree. Last year I had no Christmas movies or any way to listen to Christmas music (computer speakers being broken and all). This year my computer is working, and I downloaded all the classics (It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Frosty, Rudolph,etc…). The Opel’s were my saving grace last year and invited Murat and I to come to Christmas at their house. Murat had to work this year, but I was able to go to Avcilar to see the Opel’s new house and spend Christmas with them again!

After work on Wednesday I had a quick Turkish lesson, and then hustled over to the fast ferry to catch the only one that goes to Avcilar every evening. I arrived and was met by Kurt and Jonathan. We met up with Anna and David a t the Christmas eve party. I was fed turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, sweet potatoes, baklava, and pumpkin pie. Yummy! We hung out for a little bit while I talked FB football with a young fan who bordered on fanatic . The we went to their new apartment, which has the most amazing view of the Marmara I might add. The boys went to bed and Kurt, Anna, and I played Santa. We knew we would not get to sleep in the next day so we hit the sack as well.

Sure enough at 6:30-ish I was woken up by two excited boys (and a giant stuffed dolphin:). Presents were opened and we had a delicious breakfast. We relaxed for a bit, and then I was asked to read the Polar Express before we watched it. I had never seen it and enjoyed it very much. We had a mouthwatering pot roast for an early dinner, and then watched another film called the Ultimate Gift. What a wonderful film! I recommend it to everyone!!! Then we had birthday cake for Jesus’ birthday, and Kurt walked me to the bus station. It was a lovely time and I could not ask for better friends than the Opel’s. After a short ride I came to Bakirkoy to meet Murat, Mehmet, and Kadir. We went to the mall and had Chinese food before going home and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too!

Opel’s Christmas tree

Me and Anna

David, Jonathan, and I with their gift from me :)

Kurt helping put together the Clone Wars AT-TE thingy

Mid-day view

Sunset view, just breathtaking…

the heavens

wow

Me and two fake Santa’s at the mall ;)

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America Daze and Kurban Bayramı December 12, 2008

I am a little behind on my blogging (sorry…) but things have been a little hectic. This week was a holiday (I’ll get to that in a sec), but last week we celebrated America in school. We watched a slide show, decorated American flags, ate American food,  listened to oldies and country music, and dressed up like cowboys and cowgirls to ride horses. I think the highlight of the week was when I asked my class if they knew who the President of America was and they emphatically answered…ATATÜRK! Granted, the kids only learned who Atatürk was (the great founder of the Turkish Republic) a few weeks ago when we learned about Turkey. Since then they have decided that if we say anyone, or anything for that matter, is important he/it must be Atatürk. I think some Americans might be disappointed in the lack of excitement (not to mention confusion) I got when I explained that the new President was not Atatürk but Obama .

On Friday after school we began our holiday, Kurban Bayramı. Translated this means the Sacrifice holiday, which is not as appealing as the Sugar holiday, but just as important to Muslims. This is when they celebrate when God provided a sacrifice in place of Abraham sacrificing his own son.

On Monday evening Murat and I took a night bus down to Mersin, a city on the southern coast of Turkey. His father’s youngest sister (he has seven!:) was having her engagement party.  From the moment we arrived it was a whirlwind adventure. Murat’s father wanted to buy me a new outfit for the party and would not take no for an answer. It was incredibly sweet and generous, I was so humbled. Then I was taken to meet his grandmother, cousins, and the first aunt before getting my hair done. At the hair salon I met another aunt, Rezene, who was so cute and excited to meet me. Since I do not remember when I was very young, I can honestly say I have never been doted on, had my cheeks kissed and pinched, and been told how sweet and cute I am by so many people than in the two days I spent in Mersin. It was incredible! I finally met Figen, the bride-to-be, and we all got ready to leave. The party was held at patisserie and had live music and of course cake! There was wonderful singing, and we were serenaded at one point by an adorably off key five year old who sang a song I was not familiar with followed by a rendition of Kenan Doğulu’s Çakkıdı (a personal fav). There was also much dancing and I tried my best to dance with all the folks who seemed to have it in their genetics. It was a fun but late night, and we slept as soon as we got home.

The next day we had a family breakfast and then walked down by the sea with Murat’s cousins from Istanbul. It was beautiful and the air smelled so clean and healthy. We ended up at a lovely restaurant and stuffed our faces with Adana kebab, hummus, and salad. Then we walked all the way home so we could digest the food. When we arrived home the groom-to-be, Apo, and his family were there. We sat around in the family room and they sang songs with a borrowed guitar and we had a great time. I became fast friends with the little cousins, Figen-6 and Batin-3.  They were adorable and loved showing me the English they knew by blurting out the colors of everything they touched . We played together and it was nice to actually use my Turkish with kids. When Murat and I finally had to go I had to promise the little cousins I would be back or else they would not let me leave.  I have now met a very good portion of Murat’s family and I have found them to all be wonderful, gracious hosts, generous, fun, extremely friendly, and caring people. Murat and I had a long and uncomfortable ride back to Istanbul (a critique of bus companies in Turkey to soon follow…), but arrived safe and sound.

Me, Emirhan, Ela, & Arda

Me, Arda, Ada, & Ilke

Mersin and the Mediterranean

The fake ruins by the sea

Entrance to the culture park

Republic Day October 29, 2008

History lesson of the day: today in 1923 the Ottoman empire was officially dissolved and the Republic of Turkey was born. YAY! This means I have the day off of school today. HOORAY! I will be meeting up with Murat on the European side to look for essential oils and watch a movie (his turn to pick).  Having a day off is especially a luxury for Murat because he works 7 days a week! He is such a great teacher that all the students in his course want to have extra lessons with him. The other teachers in his course do not explain things as well in the group lessons, so all the students need Murat to be the real teacher. Hopefully this will not go on forever and Murat can have a normal 6 day work week (it is normal in Turkey). Until then we will cherish our holidays off together.

I am feeling so much better finally. My cough is gone and I am waiting for my stuffed up nose to follow in suit. I am more than a little annoyed though that it looks like I do not get to cast my vote in this election. I mailed my absentee ballot request form before the cut off, but I have not received anything yet. I was afraid this might happen. I really wish they had a system where you could request a ballot on-line and get immediate conformation of it being sent. I do not need to vote on-line, but I would like to know if I will be getting  the chance to vote. Who knows if my letter even left Turkey! In the absence of a ballot I will be praying that the supporters of my candidate will go out and vote in full force I can’t believe it is only days away!!!